People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

First Line: I might as well say, right from the jump: it wasn't my usual kind of job.

Australian rare book expert Hanna Heath has been asked to conserve the beautifully illuminated fifteenth-century Sarajevo Haggadah, a priceless Hebrew manuscript thought to have been destroyed during the fighting in Bosnia.

As many times as I've worked on rare, beautiful things, that first touch is always a strange and powerful sensation. It's a combination between brushing a live wire and stroking the back of a newborn baby's head.

As Hanna examines each page with great care and wonder, she discovers a series of tiny artifacts left behind in the manuscript: a fragment of an insect's wing, wine stains, salt crystals, and a white hair. These microscopic bits are the keys to unlocking the centuries' old mysteries of the Sarajevo Haggadah and the catalysts that will change Hanna's life forever.

As the insect's wing, then the wine stains, then the salt and hair are analyzed, we learn the history of the ancient book and the lives of the people who had it in their care. Anyone who has ever picked up a book, caressed its cover, and ruffled through its pages wondering about the identities of previous owners or all the places that book has been will absolutely love People of the Book. As Brooks takes us through the centuries, each time period and each caretaker comes to vivid, aching life.

I was deaf and blind to everything around me as I read this book. It's not the first time author Geraldine Brooks has done this to me, and since her latest book (Caleb's Crossing) is on its way to my door, I don't think it will be the last. She is one of the supreme storytellers of her time.

What Hanna does the last time she's with the Haggadah made me cry and made me smile. It also made me think. Around the world today books are under attack from technology, economy, ignorance and indifference. How many of us would be willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their survival?

9 comments:

I loved this book. My book group discussed it some time ago and it was definitely a winner. In fact, we had one member bring a haggadah to show us. Very, very interesting. Geraldine Brooks holds the title of "most discussed" with that group. We've done at least 3 of her books and will likely include the new one next year.

Kay-- Being able to see a haggdah would've been great. This would indeed be a wonderful book group choice. I was so fired up after I read it that I would've been a motor mouth if I'd been there! LOL

Kathy-- So do I!

Debbie-- I haven't read March because I wasn't that interested in the subject matter, but I loved Year of Wonders, and I intend to visit the village the book was set in when Denis and I go to the UK for our next visit.

One of my favorite books also - glad to see you enjoyed as well. I also loved The Year of Wonders, but there has been a mixed response to that. I have Caleb's Crossing and look forward to picking that up soon.

Looking for something?

Thanks for stopping by!

Blog Archive

About Me

Hi! I'm addicted to books (especially crime fiction), laughter and traveling off the beaten path. In my free time, when my eyes aren't glued to the printed page, one of them is usually pressed against the viewfinder of my camera. Let's see... books, laughter, travel, photography. Anything else? Oh yeah-- my dream house wouldn't have a kitchen!